Regular Day

My Day (not in any particular order):

1. I did lots of laundry
2. I have tractors and Tinkertoys ALL over my floor
3. My son splashed most of the water out of his pool
4. I vacuumed
5. I found a long lost grain cart under the seat in the car - very exciting!
6. I paid some bills
7. I filled up the water tank for my horses

And it's only five O'clock! Lots could still happen....

I really enjoy being a mom that can stay home most days. I thank the Lord for giving me a husband that can provide for us.

I love spending time with my kids!

Changes

I was looking at my brother’s high school yearbook this week, and noticed that a common saying to write is “never change.” I know that is meant to be kind; sort of a saying to tell someone you like them just the way they are. However, if you really think about it, it is a horrible thing to write.

I know I’ve changed since I was in high school. I’ve grown up quite a lot. Boy, am I glad I have! In high school, I did not have the patience or the wisdom to be a wife and a mother. I'm far from a perfect mother/wife, but I've come a long way, and I hope I will continue to learn and change.

In high school, I did not have the knowledge or the passion to help organize Awana, support MOPS, or teach school. I am far from a finished product, but I would like to think I’m changing for the good. I know I’ve been growing more mature as a Child of The King, and I also know I still have a long way to go on my journey to become more like my Savior. But I am changing as He molds me; as I let Him mold me. It would be a terrible thing to never change. To never mature. To never let the Lord turn you into what He wants you to be.

So, please don’t write “never change” in anyone’s yearbook.

Storm

I like summer storms.* Well, as long as they don’t cause major damage to my house, car, or crops. Anyway, back to enjoying summer storms…

A summer thunderstorm sauntered past my house today, causing lots of noise and a little bit of rain. The sky was rumbling, prompting my son to say “THUNDER!” with awe in his voice after every roll from the sky. Soon BIG drops of rain started falling, slowly at first, then speeding up to a full downpour. The rain didn’t last too long; soon the cloud moved on to its next task. Mmmmm, the smell of the air after a rain is so fresh, so new. It’s the smell of starting over, of new beginnings. Everything is clean. The grass and flowers are freshly watered, ready to grow when the sun comes out. And come out it does, soon, to warm and dry the earth.









*The main reason I like summer storms is because my husband usually comes home during a storm because he can’t seed/spray/harvest in the rain. I really like my husband.

Smoke

Why is smoking “cool?” Yuk! My brothers think it is fun to smoke a cigar every once-in-a-while. I think it stinks. Really. Like, smells BAD. Nasty. Icky. You get my point.

Climber

I have a climber. He climbs everything. He scaled the air drill tank last week – he was up the stairs and onto the balcony in the time it took my husband to grab a bag of seed from the quonset. He was a little bit afraid when he got up top on the balcony. Sometimes a little bit of fear is healthy.
Sometimes I think he could climb right up a wall – see the picture!

Dermatologist & Stuff

I took my little girl to the dermatologist today. She has VERY dry skin, but the Dr. said that she didn't think it was Dermatitis. I am supposed to put vasaline on her 3 times a day. Yuk. I think I will do a "test strip" and just try it on her arm for a few days to see if it makes a difference.

I met my mom at my little girl's appointment, and we ran some errands together. It sure is nice to have my mom around to help me out. I am used to doing things myself - it's almost weird to have someone helping me with my kids! I actually got to walk around Target by myself looking for some things that I haven't had time to look for (baskets, new pillowcases).

I bought my daughter a swimming suit today. CUTE! It's size 6-12 months and pink. I wish I looked that cute in a swimming suit. We are planning on doing some swimming this summer (outside in the cheap plastic pool and also at the hotel during my family reunion).

Natives

This is my brother and a friend playing "Native Indonesian Wannabees." Although Indonesians don't dress like this at all...

Crazy Uncles

My kids have crazy uncles. CRAZY, I'm tellin' ya! Fun uncles, yet crazy and occasionally a bit goofy.

Life on the Edge...Of a Volcano

My parents and sister are living in Indonesia. They just HAD to go see the volcano that is currently spewing ash and burping lava. I was e-mailing my dad and sister as they were watching Mt. Merapi, and they were e-mailing me back. My dad thought it was neat - there he was, sitting on grass mats in the jungle, watching an active volcano, while e-mailing his daughter in the States on his blackberry. Crazy modern technology.

Hey, they got some good pictures.

Beautiful Children

I think my two kids are the cutest kids in the whole world. I hope you think the same about your kids, too. It's good that God made parents to have special eyes that see the beauty in their children. I think that is how God looks at his children, too. HE thinks I am beautiful because I am His child. HE thinks I am beautiful in an incomparably bigger way than I think my children are beautiful. Now that I am a parent, I think I understand a little bit more about how God looks at His children, and how he enjoys His children, and how he loves his children.

My Boys

Ahhh, a picture of my boys coming home after a long day in the tractor. They are hungry, tired, and dirty. Very dirty, as usual. During supper, my son excitedly tells me all about the activities of the day. My husband is pleased because he was able to get over lots of acres today, thanks to nice weather, good equipment, and great hired help. It's a good day on the farm.